On December 9, Minsk / Tatyana Chumakova - BELTA /. State support for the agro-industrial complex of Belarus will amount to about Br11.4 trillion in 2012, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of Belarus informed BELTA. In particular, about Br4.9 trillion will be allocated to compensate for bank loan interest, about Br3 trillion - to reduce the cost of mineral fertilizers, and Br600 billion - to reduce the cost of machinery. The remaining funds will be used for state expenses and program activities. State support for the agro-industrial complex in Belarus in 2012, which distorts trade, will amount to about 12% of the gross value of agricultural products. "Subsidies and grants for the purchase of mineral fertilizers and tractors are what affect the price, the so-called amber box," the ministry explained what is meant by such state support. In terms of this type of state support for the agro-industrial complex, Belarus will soon catch up with Russia. The share of state support measures for the agro-industrial complex, which distorts trade, should decrease from 16% to 10% over the current five-year period, which complies with the norms of the Agreement on Unified Rules for State Support of Agriculture, ratified by the Law of Belarus of December 28, 2010. Thus, Belarus will fulfill its obligations to reduce the level of such state support in the Customs Union even earlier than planned. -0-

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